Tin Price Outlook

Tin prices remained broadly stable in the last few weeks, after recording a significant decline in late October and early November. On 1 December, tin traded at USD 19,525 per metric ton. The figure was down 0.1% from the same day in November and was 7.9% lower on a year-to-date basis. Furthermore, it was down 8.4% from the same day last year.
The broad stability of tin prices is the result of counteracting forces. Reports point to a weakness in demand for refined tin in the rest of 2017 and in early 2018. It will likely result from cooling demand from China, which is the world’s largest consumer of the metal. The pledge by President Xi Jinping to focus more on the quality of growth has led investors to expect a future moderation in demand from China for tin. On the other hand, experts point out that tin could end up having a role in the green technology revolution, especially as it is used in batteries in hybrid vehicles.